Effects of Alumina Nanoparticle Dispersed 3-armed Glyceryl Lactate on Biodiesel Cold Flow Properties, IC Engine Performance and Emission Characteristics

Abstract

Biodiesel is a promising renewable energy sources to be used as an alternative for petro-diesel due to its good features such as biodegradable and non-toxic. However, biodiesel has drawbacks such as poor cold flow properties, lower engine performance. Different cold flow improvers have been explored as a better option to enhance the biodiesel cold flow properties. But, the cold flow improvers used so far are mostly petro-chemical based, and they are less efficient for biodiesel cold flow improvement. In this study a 3-armed Glyceryl lactate was used as cold flow improver and a dispersant for Al2O3-NPs in which Al2O3-NPs was used to improve engine performance and emission characteristics of biodiesel-diesel blend. The biodiesel was synthesized from soybean oil and characterized by FTIR and NMR analysis as well as physico chemical properties were tested. Gly-lac (synthesized from glycerol and lactic acid) was purified and then characterized via FTIR, NMR, viscosity, and acid value analysis. Al2O3-NPs was synthesized by sol-gel method and characterized using UV-vis, FTIR, PSA, and XRD. In addition, Zeta potential analysis was conducted for Al2O3-NPs within Gly-lac and a value of +30.495mV was obtained. The effect of Gly:lac molar ratio and Gly-lac loading rate on biodiesel cloud point (CP) and pour point (PP) were studied, and a maximum reduction of CP by 7 oC and PP by 8.14oC was achieved with the addition of Gly-lac (1:6) molar ratio at 10g/l loading rate. The Gly-lac/Al2O3-NPs (3wt% Al2O3-NPs with respect to Gly-lac) brought a maximum decline in CP by 7 oC and PP by 9.44oC for biodiesel. The effect of Gly-lac/Al2O3-NPs on the engine performance and exhaust gas emission for biodiesel-diesel (B20) was also examined in which Al2O3-NPs dispersed Gly-lac brought a better result compared to Al2O3-NPs alone. The addition of Gly-lac/Al2O3-NPs (at 3wt% Al2O3-NPs) in to B20 brought a maximum increase in brake power and brake thermal efficiency by 0.843kW and 6.837% respectively during full load operation. Similarly, brake specific fuel consumption was reduced by 25.26%. Emissions of unburned hydrocarbon, NOx, and CO were also reduced by 27.4 ppm, 98.6 ppm, and 39.52% respectively. Thus, Al2O3-NPs dispersed Gly-lac could be applicable to improve cold flow properties, engine performance and emission characteristics.Biodiesel Is A Promising Renewable Energy Sources To Be Used As An Alternative For Petro-Diesel Due To Its Good Features Such As Biodegradable And Non-Toxic. However, Biodiesel Has Drawbacks Such As Poor Cold Flow Properties, Lower Engine Performance. Different Cold Flow Improvers Have Been Explored As A Better Option To Enhance The Biodiesel Cold Flow Properties. But, The Cold Flow Improvers Used So Far Are Mostly Petro-Chemical Based, And They Are Less Efficient For Biodiesel Cold Flow Improvement. In This Study A 3-Armed Glyceryl Lactate Was UsedAs Cold Flow Improver And A Dispersant For Al2o3-Nps In Which Al2o3-Nps Was Used To Improve Engine Performance And Emission Characteristics Of Biodiesel-Diesel Blend. The Biodiesel Was Synthesized From Soybean Oil And Characterized By Ftir And Nmr Analysis As Well As Physico Chemical Properties Were Tested. Gly-Lac (Synthesized From Glycerol And Lactic Acid) Was Purified And Then Characterized Via Ftir, Nmr, Viscosity, And Acid Value Analysis. Al2o3-Nps Was Synthesized By Sol-Gel Method And Characterized Using Uv-Vis, Ftir, Psa, And Xrd. In Addition, Zeta Potential Analysis Was Conducted For Al2o3-Nps Within Gly-Lac And A Value Of +30.495mv Was Obtained. The Effect Of Gly:lac Molar Ratio And Gly-Lac Loading Rate On Biodiesel Cloud Point (Cp) And Pour Point (Pp) Were Studied, And A Maximum Reduction Of CpBy 7Oc And Pp By 8.14oc Was Achieved With The Addition Of Gly-Lac (1:6) Molar Ratio At 10g/L Loading Rate. The Gly-Lac/Al2o3-Nps (3wt% Al2o3-Nps With Respect To Gly-Lac) Brought A Maximum Decline In Cp By 7Oc And Pp By 9.44oc For Biodiesel. The Effect Of Gly-Lac/Al2o3-NpsOn The Engine Performance And Exhaust Gas Emission For Biodiesel-Diesel (B20) Was Also Examined In Which Al2o3-Nps Dispersed Gly-Lac Brought A Better Result Compared To Al2o3-NpsAlone. The Addition Of Gly-Lac/Al2o3-Nps (At 3wt% Al2o3-Nps) In To B20 Brought A Maximum Increase In Brake Power And Brake Thermal Efficiency By 0.843kw And 6.837% Respectively During Full Load Operation. Similarly, Brake Specific Fuel Consumption Was Reduced By 25.26%.Emissions Of Unburned Hydrocarbon, Nox, And Co Were Also Reduced By 27.4 Ppm, 98.6 Ppm, And 39.52% Respectively. Thus, Al2o3-Nps Dispersed Gly-Lac Could Be Applicable To Improve Cold Flow Properties, Engine Performance And Emission Characteristics.